Employees returning to work 'should be supported'

Business owners should make an effort to support employees returning to work after illness or injury, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

Ben Willmott, CIPD employee relations adviser, says companies failing to support workers risk the loss of "valuable and talented" people.

"Managers need to understand that their support for the individual is going to be a crucial part of their phased return to work," he comments.

Mr Willmott adds that employees returning to their jobs need time to "get up to speed" gradually and should not be expected to take on a large workload immediately.

"That sort of investment is well worth it, because the alternative is that individuals won't make a successful return to work," he continues.

According to Dame Carol Black's recent report on the health of Britain's working-age population, 175 million working days were lost during 2006 as a result of sickness.